Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - A Brand Yet To Be Mentioned

Hey guys!

I've been browsing around, not for any reason in particular, for a fixie/ss.
The almighty search engine brought me to this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/49cm-FIXED-GEAR-BICYCLE-SINGLE-SPEED-TRACK-ROAD-BIKE_W0QQitemZ160391035712QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item25580cfb40#ht_9693wt_1575

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatbk30.jpg

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatblue30.jpg

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatwh60.jpg

Apparently the brand is TOMCAT and the bike is..ToTo?
I've never heard of most of the components on this and I've yet to see any reviews at all.
The manufacturer's website claims that TOMCAT is relatively new.

I don't plan on buying the bikes from them, seeing as that the components are unheard of.

I'd like to know your take on this.

The crank reminds me of the Mavic Starfish crank,thats all.

The crank reminds me of the Mavic Starfish crank,thats all.

I agree! I wonder if it would make a good gift.

Hm. Looks kind of like this beast, except the fork looks nicer. http://www.americanflyerbicycle.com/images/dsc01439.jpg

I don't plan on buying the bikes from them, seeing as that the components are unheard of.


You're probably not familiar with most of the components (http://www.wabicycles.com/Component-listing-2010.html) supplied with my Wabi Classic either, but that alone is not a reason to avoid them. In the case of the Wabi, everything is sealed, and high quality. My bike weighs over three pounds less than the Tomcat.

A lot of people don't realize that in many cases, an OEM supplier may make parts for several different brands, sometimes to the same spec, with only the logo being different. Not sure if that's the case with the ToTo, but my point is that just because you've never heard of the brand, it's not automatically inferior.

With sealed hubs and aero rims included, the Tomcat might give BD a little competition.

I was looking at that bike too but you've got it backwards. The the company is Toto and the bike is the Tomcat. If you look closely you can see their website www.totocycling.com on the chainstay

Just wondering if anyone has any other info on these particular bikes.
I hate using my road bike for running errands and was looking at a cheap single speed to boot around town with.

This bike seems comparable to BD and they actually ship to Canada, so any info is appreciated.

Look great!

what he said, and you can't beat it for what? $300.00 shipped!

Just ordered a 49cm in white for my wife. Like everybody else said $300 bucks is peanuts, and what's not any good I can throw away. But in looking, I don't expect to have to. Yeah Bike has been making folding bikes for a while, and they are a hard bike to engineer, (which is one reason why you don't see too many brands of them). The rims are a medium deep V which you have to work at screwing up, (they're inherently a strong design). And ANY bike bought from anything other than a top-of-the-line shop you should expect to start out by DISassemblying to grease and adjust.

As to the other question of "unheard of components", well ...... I go back to 1972 in both cycling and the cycling business. I walked away from the business/shop ownership/coaching/USCF officiating end of it in 1986, and just rode my own bike and ordered from Performance and Nashbar for a good decade without ever setting foot into a shop. When I finally started to come around, ALL YOU PEOPLE were riding crap I'd never heard of!!

Bike just shipped today and should be here in a week. I'll let you know how it goes when I build it.

As to the other question of "unheard of components", well ...... I go back to 1972 in both cycling and the cycling business. I walked away from the business/shop ownership/coaching/USCF officiating end of it in 1986, and just rode my own bike and ordered from Performance and Nashbar for a good decade without ever setting foot into a shop. When I finally started to come around, ALL YOU PEOPLE were riding crap I'd never heard of!!


I read about someone with a similar history, but he was the one that started Performance.

I am interested to know the verdict.
I have been looking for a new bike for some time now, but with school and rent payments I cant afford any at my LBS. The cheapest single speed they have is a Giant Bowery Mashup for $600. It didnt tickle my fancy though.

I read about someone with a similar history, but he was the one that started Performance.

You're right. That would be Gary Snook, not me! He started Performance about the time I sold my last shop. They were an "also ran" compared to Nashbar until some time in the early nineties when they finally started to gain traction with the mail order crowd. By that time, of course, the `net had come along, and catapulted both their and Nashbar's business out of the "mail order to the truly dedicated bike geek" category, and turned them both into everybody's wholesale (almost) parts house.

Yes, I saw that too. On the face of it, the package looks like a better deal than comparable BD offerings. However, money is money, and even $300 is not chump change to me. Suppose the frame is out alignment and I want to return it for a replacement? I'd be more confident dealing with BD than some unknown online source.

You're right. That would be Gary Snook, not me! He started Performance about the time I sold my last shop. They were an "also ran" compared to Nashbar until some time in the early nineties when they finally started to gain traction with the mail order crowd. By that time, of course, the `net had come along, and catapulted both their and Nashbar's business out of the "mail order to the truly dedicated bike geek" category, and turned them both into everybody's wholesale (almost) parts house.

Actually, I was referring to Richard. That's who I bought my Wabi from.

Actually, I was referring to Richard. That's who I bought my Wabi from.Oh, the other brother who left in a huff on a Huffy and as a hobby started Wabi! (Not really, but cute, huh?)

i was also looking at these, i wish it had complete listing of the geo. kinda a lax looking frame

i was also looking at these, i wish it had complete listing of the geo. kinda a lax looking frame

Not a complete list, but below's the link. (Scroll down).
http://www.totocycling.com/bike.html

Not a complete list, but below's the link. (Scroll down).
http://www.totocycling.com/bike.html

Pretty amateurish geometry chart with a lot of obvious or unimportant info like fork and dropout spacing, and head tube diameter, while omitting critical items such as fork offset, head tube angle and chainstay length. However, one can deduce from the large BB drop and longish top tube that this is definitely not going to be an edgy track frame, which is what I'd expect in a low end CroMo steel street fixie. So, when yours arrives, let us know what you find, since $300 is not insignificant to everyone.

As an aside, I see that not everyone on this forum is a teenage kid. Many such as you, Brian, I and others are definitely very much in the mature category.

As an aside, I see that not everyone on this forum is a teenage kid. Many such as you, Brian, I and others are definitely very much in the mature category.

I wouldn't go so far as to say mature, but I did get my first bike around 1975.

Like everybody else said $300 bucks is peanuts, and what's not any good I can throw away.

Uh, if it's junk I'll be happy to take it off your hands. Or the $300.

I just graduated with a BS in Econ and a BA in Philosophy and have been unemployed since the summer... $300 will cover my rent and buy me groceries that will last almost the full month.

And I'll send you a really nice thank you card too.

Pretty amateurish geometry chart

Yeah, a NOT-so-clever attempt to draw your attention away from that fact.


..... that this is definitely not going to be an edgy track frame, which is what I'd expect in a low end CroMo steel street fixie.

Exactly, and I don't want a true track frame for my wife's first fixed gear. However, on the 49cm I did note the seat tube angle is 74.5! Hope the didn't run the headtube down to 71 or some such while also trying to make a shorter top tube!


So, when yours arrives, let us know what you find ....

Absolutely.


... since $300 is not insignificant to everyone.

Boy, I regret that comment already. I did NOT mean to belittle anyone's financial position, particularly in these economic times! Hell, my own business is off over 50%. My apologies to all if it came off that way.


As an aside, I see that not everyone on this forum is a teenage kid. Many such as you, Brian, I and others are definitely very much in the mature category.

Hey! Watch where you're slinging that "mature" stuff! I'm only "middle aged", (if I live to be 114!) Besides, I've met mature people and:
A. they bore me
B. they don't ride fixies!
:roflmao2:

Uh, if it's junk I'll be happy to take it off your hands. Or the $300.

I just graduated with a BS in Econ and a BA in Philosophy and have been unemployed since the summer... $300 will cover my rent and buy me groceries that will last almost the full month.

And I'll send you a really nice thank you card too.

That's harsh. The economy is really bad right now, even in the cycling industry. At Interbike 2008, there were scantily-clad women serving free beer (in a free pint glass) at every turn, and I was making around $2k per month for part time work on a couple of sites. Fast forward to 2009. I saw only a few "models" at the show, and if free beer was served, it was in a plastic cup. That month I also got my last pay check of the year - $200.

In retrospect, it was probably not such a bad thing that I pissed away the money from my side jobs. Had I come to rely on that for anything other than frivolous spending on toys and sushi, I'd be in big trouble right now.

OK all. Got it! Delivery was FedEx ground, but it got here from the west coast in 5 days. Came in a decent bike box .. good heavy cardboard, not the flimsy crap you see some bikes show up in. Naturally, the plastic axle caps had come off and both rear and one front axle end were poking thru, but that's fairly normal, and no damage.

Got it in the stand and started looking it over. Wheels both slightly out of true, (expected). Found one tiny pinhole in the welding/paint where the left seat stay joins the seat tube. Told my wife to pick up some white fingernail polish to seal it immediately. Welds are generally good with an occasional small abberation that a man on horseback would never notice.

The seat tube had a MAJOR burr inside about an inch down from the top, (fortunately)! The seat post wouldn't even begin to go in, but about 10 minutes with a rattail file cleaned it up nicely, so no major trauma.

Wheels: Hubs are sealed bearing and felt good. As is the case with most cheap rims, you can see the seam. I don't mean you can see where the seam has been filled and smothed over, I mean you can SEE the seam! The wheels on my cheap fixie are the same and in the year I've had it, they have held up OK. So I'm hopeful enough to give `em a shot.

BB: Sealed and smooth.

Headset: To be dismantled and checked tomorrow. Felt good enough to play with the bike a little tonight, though.

Pedals are cheap Wellgo bottom-of-line junk, naturally. As are the clips and straps.

Of interest, (which is to say not wrong, just not that common), is the seat tube slot is in the front of the tube rather than the back, so the clamp has to be facing forward as well. Also of interest is that it came with both the ss freewheel AND the fixed cog and lockring. Wasn't expecting that.

Thus far, I'm quite pleased with the bike! Haven't taken any measurements yet, and I also want to check frame alignment and chainline. Will do that tomorrow. But the wifey wanted me to bolt it together for now so she could take it down the street before it rained, so I did!

I'll get measurements and pic tomorrow.

Of interest, (which is to say not wrong, just not that common), is the seat tube slot is in the front of the tube rather than the back, so the clamp has to be facing forward as well.

That's a very serious design flaw. When you ride in crappy weather, you won't have a bunch of grit and grime thrown up into the clamp. Return it immediately.

Of interest, (which is to say not wrong, just not that common), is the seat tube slot is in the front of the tube rather than the back, so the clamp has to be facing forward as well. Also of interest is that it came with both the ss freewheel AND the fixed cog and lockring. Wasn't expecting that.

Funny Brian, but that quote stood out to me as well.

I actually believe this is so the seat post collar / clamp sits normally, thus not over-stressing your post. I actually make sure the slot / gap / bolt area of all my clamps sit opposite the where the slit in the tube is, whether I'm using a carbon post or not. With the exception of my Swobo Sanchez, all of the bikes I've owned have the slit in the back. With the slit in the front, I just grease the post and then touch up the slit with excess grease that comes out of the top. On that note, I don't grease carbon and you shouldn't either. But feel free to use the Ritchey duck sauce.

That's a very serious design flaw. When you ride in crappy weather, you won't have a bunch of grit and grime thrown up into the clamp. Return it immediately.

Yeah, maybe I will. The slot's most important function on my bikes is to wipe the big, green boogers off my finger when I pick my nose. With the slot on the front, now *I* have to look at them, instead of the guy sucking my wheel!

how are the starfish looking cranks?

how are the starfish looking cranks?

Seem to be OK, but going to be looking at all things crank and hub today as there IS a minor chainline issue I want to fix. I'll let you know more this evening.

Hey guys!

I've been browsing around, not for any reason in particular, for a fixie/ss.
The almighty search engine brought me to this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/49cm-FIXED-GEAR-BICYCLE-SINGLE-SPEED-TRACK-ROAD-BIKE_W0QQitemZ160391035712QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item25580cfb40#ht_9693wt_1575

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatbk30.jpg

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatblue30.jpg

http://www.savingextra.com/images/tomcat/tomcatwh60.jpg

Apparently the brand is TOMCAT and the bike is..ToTo?
I've never heard of most of the components on this and I've yet to see any reviews at all.
The manufacturer's website claims that TOMCAT is relatively new.

I don't plan on buying the bikes from them, seeing as that the components are unheard of.

I'd like to know your take on this.

My take is: if you want a cheap SS or FG, why not just convert a used road bike with horizontal dropouts? I don't dislike those bikes, but you can have a similar or better quality bike for less money, if you go the conversion route.

The other comment I have: I don't see how one could fit fenders on that bike. I refuse to believe one wants to ride only when the roads are dry. That's just too limiting.

My take is: if you want a cheap SS or FG, why not just convert a used road bike with horizontal dropouts? I don't dislike those bikes, but you can have a similar or better quality bike for less money, if you go the conversion route.

The other comment I have: I don't see how one could fit fenders on that bike. I refuse to believe one wants to ride only when the roads are dry. That's just too limiting.

Perhaps that is the mindset where you live, but most people in the USA don't want to bother building a bike, even though it might save them some money. Also, I doubt very many people over here will use these bikes in foul weather or as serious transportation, especially FGs. Mind you, that is exactly what I did, my SS is a conversion with fenders, but I represent a small minority on this forum.

Perhaps that is the mindset where you live, but most people in the USA don't want to bother building a bike, even though it might save them some money. Also, I doubt very many people over here will use these bikes in foul weather or as serious transportation, especially FGs. Mind you, that is exactly what I did, my SS is a conversion with fenders, but I represent a small minority on this forum.

Not even foul weather, just wet roads. Like, after a rain, or during a light summer drizzle.

My take is: if you want a cheap SS or FG, why not just convert a used road bike with horizontal dropouts? I don't dislike those bikes, but you can have a similar or better quality bike for less money, if you go the conversion route.

Actually, unless your spare parts bin is VERY DEEP in fixie parts, I think you'd be hard pressed to build a conversion for the $250 US this bike costs.


The other comment I have: I don't see how one could fit fenders on that bike. I refuse to believe one wants to ride only when the roads are dry. That's just too limiting.

Well, believe it or not, that's the case. Of the entire cycling community in the US, maybe, and I DO mean MAYBE, 1% of them commute on any kind of bike, and MAYBE only 1% of those do it on a fixed gear!

As a matter of fact, other than TejanoTrackie, there's only one other guy in the US doing it full time and that's because his Bendix coaster brake froze from rust and his bike BECAME a fixed gear! :lol:

Seriously though, bikes of all types are not viewed as transportation over here as they are in many other parts of the world. They are strictly "recreation". And even that is a step up from where they were 40 years ago when they were just "toys" that belonged on the sidewalk.

Not everyone is handy with something as simple as a bicycle, and if you don't have connections and a decent collection of existing parts, you can't convert a bike for the same quality as you can buy one for these days.

Still no pics, (sorry, but it still looks just like the ads anyway).

But, some new info.

Frame is in perfect alignment. Minor chainline issue is due to the hub manufacture. When you flip the wheel to the freewheel, chain alignment is perfect, but on the fixed cog side it's is an eighth off of perfect. They are sealed bearing hubs, so getting a locknut setup that's an eighth thinner on that side will fix it. It's not even enough to make me want to cold set the frame, even as anal as I am about mechanics. Or, alternatively, I could also buy a top quality set of hubs that are manufactured correctly for approximately what I paid for the whole bike!! :D

I'm still pretty amazed by the bike for the price. I dropped the chain and spun the cranks to check for true ... all good. I kind of expected that. But then I pulled the right crank to grease everything, and it was already done!

It's a square taper bb axle and both the threads of the crank bolt AND the flats of the axle were already greased, PLUS they were actually tight! WTF??!! This is Chinese QC these days? Not at all what I expected.

Thus far, the only thing I've run into that Nate Noob would have to pay to have done is the front wheel truing, and it didn't need much.

Haven't taken the headset apart yet, but had to knock off cause the wife wanted to RIDE it! Can you imagine, riding a bike when you could be wrenching on it? I'll NEVER make a mechanic out of her!

To Be Continued ...

well i copped out and bought a KTT instead, i've bought from BD twice so why ruin a good thing right?

well i copped out and bought a KTT instead, i've bought from BD twice so why ruin a good thing right?

I don't know who you're apologizing to, but I hope it's not me!! I don't have a rider in that race! I just saw the OP and answered it since I had just ordered the bike.

Lots to be said for BD that can't be said about ToToCycling. For instance, you can ask BD a question right here on the BFs and actually get an answer. I don't know how you'd go about doing that with ToTo ...... maybe a slow boat to China? :eek: :roflmao2:

Quick question Onegun: Do the decals look removable or are they under the clearcoat?

Quick question Onegun: Do the decals look removable or are they under the clearcoat?

Under the clearcoat.

Under the clearcoat.
Thanks for the quick reply. I guess thats not really a deal breaker.

Also something for other people to note is that the frame sizes are measured C-C and his size recommendations appear to be off. Unless I'm wrong a 59CM C-C would be 62CM C-T. That's huge for someone 5'10.

Thanks for the quick reply. I guess thats not really a deal breaker.

Also something for other people to note is that the frame sizes are measured C-C and his size recommendations appear to be off. Unless I'm wrong a 59CM C-C would be 62CM C-T. That's huge for someone 5'10.

Yes. I'm 5'-3" and ride 48cm c-c, but he's got someone 5'-2" on a 49cm. Definitely negative standover and very little seatpost showing.

Also something for other people to note is that the frame sizes are measured C-C and his size recommendations appear to be off. Unless I'm wrong a 59CM C-C would be 62CM C-T. That's huge for someone 5'10.

OK. First of all, these are steel tubes, not oversized aluminum. So there would only be a difference of maybe a cent and a half between c-c and c-t.

Now, a bit of revelation! I didn't bother to measure the frame size before! How interesting. Their 49cm, measured to the top of the top tube, is only 18 1/4", or roughly 46.5 cm! The frame only measures 49 if you go all the way to the top of the seat tube, which sticks up roughly another inch above the top tube.

When I set the bike on level ground to take these measurements, I also noticed the frame has a slightly sloping top tube! This may be something they only do on the 49cm bikes, as I sure can't see it in the pics at totocycling.com! Anyway, this results in a standover of a tad less than 29 3/4", (measured about 8" in front of the saddle nose).

As it happens, all this is of benefit to my wife. YMMV.

Guess I'll get some "official" pictures today ... you know ... leaning against the garage door ... where all PROPER bike pics are taken. Oh, uh, unless you have a radiator heat system in your house. Then you're allowed to photograph inside with the bike leaning up against that!

By next week though, it'll be all decked out. White with lime green. Lime green h'bar tape, chain, and Fyxation tires. Plus, she's already zip-tied a troll with lime green hair onto the front of the stem. His name, (or is it the bike's?), is Sir Fixed-a-lot!

She's having fun with it!

OK. First of all, these are steel tubes, not oversized aluminum. So there would only be a difference of maybe a cent and a half between c-c and c-t.

Now, a bit of revelation! I didn't bother to measure the frame size before! How interesting. Their 49cm, measured to the top of the top tube, is only 18 1/4", or roughly 46.5 cm! The frame only measures 49 if you go all the way to the top of the seat tube, which sticks up roughly another inch above the top tube.

When I set the bike on level ground to take these measurements, I also noticed the frame has a slightly sloping top tube! This may be something they only do on the 49cm bikes, as I sure can't see it in the pics at totocycling.com! Anyway, this results in a standover of a tad less than 29 3/4", (measured about 8" in front of the saddle nose).

As it happens, all this is of benefit to my wife. YMMV.

Guess I'll get some "official" pictures today ... you know ... leaning against the garage door ... where all PROPER bike pics are taken. Oh, uh, unless you have a radiator heat system in your house. Then you're allowed to photograph inside with the bike leaning up against that!

By next week though, it'll be all decked out. White with lime green. Lime green h'bar tape, chain, and Fyxation tires. Plus, she's already zip-tied a troll with lime green hair onto the front of the stem. His name, (or is it the bike's?), is Sir Fixed-a-lot!

She's having fun with it!

I think it's actually measured C-T... the Toto cycles customer service says the standover height on the 59cm is 824mm (32.44") Also if you look at the auction for the blue one that was recently listed, it says C-T.

Looking forward to the pics!

OK guys. Here goes.

As it was this morning:

http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5771.JPG

As it is now:

http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5780.JPG

The chain is the garden-variety KMC:

http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5783.JPG

Tires are Fyxation Session 700:

http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5784.JPG

Bar tape is anybody's lime green over-wrapped with transparent Cinelli Jelly Ribbon so you can just wipe it off. And the little fellow up front, I'm told, is Sir Fixed-a-lot.

http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5794.JPG

He looks FAST even when he's sitting still, don't he??!! :D
http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5795.JPG

Obviously, the wife is having fun with this. She's already riding it fixed, but she's not yet ready to put the clipless pedals on. Good stuff.

Soon as my orange-haired troll comes in, I'm going to match her with a black/orange scheme on mine!

What's that stuff on the ground behind your bike?

Looks really good for 300$ shipped. The components look better than the stuff in the same price range at bikesdirect.

He looks FAST even when he's sitting still, don't he??!! :D
http://www.bqik.net/forsale/tomcat_fixie/DSCF5795.JPG

That troll is awesome! If the troll came with the bike, it would really sell lol

What's that stuff on the ground behind your bike?

It's called "grass". You have it up where you're from. It appears every summer. It's just that, unless you're extraordinarily lucky and summer falls on a weekend, it's gone before you get to see it!

It's called "grass". You have it up where you're from. It appears every summer. It's just that, unless you're extraordinarily lucky and summer falls on a weekend, it's gone before you get to see it!

Indeed. Mine disappears for 5 months at a time.

Indeed. Mine disappears for 5 months at a time.

To be honest, I won't even head out on the bike if the temp isn't 50 or above. But I gotta admit that riding in the snow is something I've never tried, and it looks like it would be a lot of fun! (Excpet for the cold part, that is!)